August 19, 2015

Our next Epstein #ILookLikeAnEngineer spotlight star is senior civil design engineer Dina Levin, PE. Dina joined Epstein in 2013 and now has over 7 years of engineering experience preparing bid documents including maintenance of traffic, removal plans, roadway design plans, typical sections, cross sections, grading, striping, signing, landscaping, and erosion control for transportation projects for public agencies and municipalities. Continue reading to learn why Dina became an engineer, if she had any women mentors and what she thinks are the biggest challenges to becoming a women engineer.

Why did you want to become an engineer?

When I was younger, I wasn't the best student, but my parents always stressed math and how important it was (they were both engineers). All throughout grade school, I had to spend my Saturdays with a math tutor. My tutors taught me critical thinking and really gave me an appreciation of math and science. When I was in college, I was not sure what type of engineer I wanted to be, but I was sure that engineering was for me.

Did you have any women mentors?

At my first internship, my boss and the head of the department was a woman. She was in charge of a department filled with mostly men and it was amazing to see how well respected she was. She really showed me that I could achieve anything I put my mind to.

What are the toughest obstacles to overcome being a woman engineer?

I think many women in all industries struggle with life-work balance and I think it is especially hard in an industry that is dominated by men. Without many female role-models, it can be difficult to see how other women can 'do it all' and make it work.